Control tools for media content access systems and methods

ABSTRACT

In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem including an output driver configured to provide at least a component of a media content instance to a display for presentation to a user, and a receiver configured to receive an input command initiated by the user during the presentation of the component of the media content instance. The media content processing subsystem is further configured to select a control pane from a group of control panes based on the input command, each of the control panes including a different set of control tools, and provide, in response to the input command, the control pane to the display for concurrent presentation of both the component of the media content instance and the control pane to the user.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The advent of computers, interactive electronic communication, theInternet, and other advances in the digital realm of consumerelectronics have resulted in a great variety of programming, recording,and viewing options for users who view media content such as televisionprograms. In implementing such enhanced programming, the set-top box(STB) has become an important computing device for accessing mediacontent services and the media content within those services. Inaddition to supporting traditional analog broadcast video functionality,STBs also support an increasing number of two-way digital services suchas video-on-demand, internet protocol television (IPTV), and personalvideo recording.

An STB is typically connected to a cable or satellite, or generally, asubscriber television system, and includes hardware and softwarenecessary to provide the functionality of the subscriber televisionsystem at a user site. While many STBs are stand-alone devices that areexternally connected to a television, an STB and/or its functionalitymay be integrated into a television or personal computer, a mobiledevice such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), oreven into an audio device such as a programmable radio, as is known.

An STB typically provides users with functionality for controllingcertain settings and operations of the STB. In many instances, a user isprovided with a large number of features and associated control options.However, the large number of control options often makes it difficultand/or inconvenient for the user to find and utilize a particularfeature. For example, when a user of a conventional STB is viewing mediacontent (“on video”) caused to be displayed by the STB, the controloptions immediately available to the user are limited. That is, the userdoes not have convenient access to many STB control options from an“on-video” screen and/or while the media content continues to bepresented. In many cases, the user is forced to leave a presentation ofmedia content (e.g., go “off video”) in order to find a desired controloption, menu, or feature. This can be frustrating to a user, especiallywhere the user wishes to continue viewing media content (i.e., the mediacontent remains “on video”) while also having access to a wide range ofcontrol options.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments and are a partof the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examplesand do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Throughout the drawings,identical reference numbers designate identical or similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a media content access system,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary media content providernetwork, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary media content processingsubsystem, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary remote control user input device,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a viewing screen of an exemplary display device witha particular scene or frame of media content displayed thereon,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates the viewing screen of FIG. 5 with a group of controlpanes positioned off-screen, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates the viewing screen of FIG. 5 with a first controlpane displayed within the viewing screen and adjacent to a first edge ofa display of media content, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates the viewing screen of FIG. 5 with a second controlpane displayed within the viewing screen and adjacent to a second edgeof a display of media content, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates the viewing screen of FIG. 5 with the second controlpane of FIG. 8 extended into the viewing screen to make room for anapplication pane in the viewing screen, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates the viewing screen of FIG. 5 with a third controlpane displayed within the viewing screen and adjacent to third edge of adisplay of media content, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates the viewing screen of FIG. 5 with a fourth controlpane displayed within the viewing screen and adjacent to fourth edge ofa display of media content, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of providingcontrol tools together with a presentation of with media content,according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. Introduction

Preferred exemplary systems and methods for providing control toolstogether with a presentation of media content are described herein. Thecontrol tools may be included in a group of control panes, each of whichis configured to be presented together with a presentation of a mediacontent instance in response to an input command. A control pane can bepresented generally without obstructing the presentation of the mediacontent instance, such that a user has convenient access to a wide rangeof control tools while also being able to continue experiencing thepresentation of media content.

As used herein, the term “media content instance” will be used to refergenerally to any television program, on-demand program, pay-per-viewprogram, broadcast media program, video-on demand program, commercial,advertisement, video, multimedia, movie, song, photograph, audioprogramming, network services (e.g., Internet), or any segment, portion,component, or combination of these or other forms of media content thatmay be presented to and experienced (e.g., viewed) by a user. A mediacontent instance may have one or more components. For example, anexemplary media content instance may include a video component and anaudio component.

The exemplary systems and methods described herein enable a user of aset-top box (STB) or other user device to conveniently launch at leastone control pane during presentation of a media content instance. Forexample, a user may launch a control pane from an “on-video” screendisplaying a media content instance (or a component of a media contentinstance). The control pane may be presented for consideration by theuser such that the presentation of the control pane generally does notobstruct the presentation of the media content instance. Accordingly,the user is able to continue experiencing the presentation of the mediacontent instance while also accessing control tools included in thecontrol pane.

A control pane may be selected from a group of control panes forpresentation to the user. Each of the control panes may include adifferent set of control tools, and the selection of a particularcontrol pane for presentation may be based on an input command initiatedby the user. This allows the user to conveniently access and utilize awide range of control tools from an “on-video” screen by issuingcommands configured to cause corresponding control panes to be presentedtogether with the presentation of media content. The accessibility ofmultiple different control panes having different control optionsprovides the user with access to a large number and broad range ofcontrol tools. In certain embodiments, at least some of the controltools are directly accessible from an “on-video” screen, without havingto navigate through intervening screens or menus.

At least some of the control tools may be contextual in nature, meaningthat the control tools can be selected and/or configured (i.e., changed)based on media content, user preferences and permissions, or othersuitable criteria. For example, certain control tools may be identifiedfor inclusion in the control panes based on which user profile is activeor on an attribute of the media content being presented. Accordingly,control tools included in control panes may change dynamically ascontextual attributes such as attributes associated with user profilesand media content change.

The control tools may include one or more tools providing the user withaccess to functionality and/or information that can compliment andenhance the experience of the user. As used herein, the term “controltools” will be used to refer generally to any, control, mechanism, icon,link, shortcut, or other tool providing access to functionality and/orinformation including, but not limited to, controlling operations and/orsettings of a user device (e.g., an STB), controlling presentation ofmedia content, recording media content, rating media content,recommending media content to another user, managing a list of userpreferences (e.g., adding a media content instance to a list offavorites), flagging media content or a snippet (e.g., a scene) of themedia content, sharing media content or a snippet of the media contentwith another user, accessing advertisements (e.g., telescopingadvertisements) associated with sponsors of media content, accessingadditional information associated with media content, accessinginformation and/or information widgets (e.g., a weather widget, atraffic widget, a task management widget, a package shipping widget, acalendar widget, etc.), accessing additional functionality (e.g., anelectronic mail or other messaging application, a calendar application,a package shipping application, etc.), managing user profiles (e.g.,selecting between different aliases associated with user profiles toswitch between the user profiles), managing parental control features,applying parental control functions to media content, schedulingoperations to be performed (e.g., selecting media content to berecorded), receiving selected notifications (e.g., notifications relatedto electronic mail, instant messaging, voice mail, advertisements,promotions, security), accessing information and/or other media contentrelated to a media content instance being presented, and accessingnetwork-specific or channel-specific program guide information. Asdescribed further below, control tools may include shortcuts toadditional information and/or functionality, including informationand/or functionality provided by third parties. Examples of severalcontrol tools are described herein. However, the description ofexemplary control tools is illustrative and not limiting.

The above-mentioned functionalities of flagging and sharing of mediacontent or snippets of media content may be performed as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/474,992, by Heath Stallings et al.,entitled MEDIA CONTENT ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS, filed Jun. 27, 2006,and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/474,991, by Heath Stallings etal., entitled SNIPPET ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS, filed Jun. 27, 2006,the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Components and functions of exemplary embodiments of set-top-box controlsystems and methods will now be described in more detail.

II. Exemplary System View

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a media content access system 100,according to one embodiment. Media content access system 100 may takemany different forms and include multiple and/or alternate componentsand facilities.

As shown in FIG. 1, a media content processing subsystem 110 isconfigured to communicate with and receive a data stream (i.e., a mediacontent stream) containing a media content instance from a media contentprovider 111. The media content processing subsystem 110 and mediacontent provider 111 may communicate using any known communicationtechnologies, devices, media, and protocols supportive of remote datacommunications, including, but not limited to, cable networks,subscriber television networks, satellite networks, the Internet,intranets, local area networks, wireless networks (e.g., mobiletelephone networks), optical fiber networks, data transmission media,communications devices, Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”), InternetProtocol (“IP”), File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”), Telnet, HypertextTransfer Protocol (“HTTP”), socket connections, Ethernet, and othersuitable communications networks and technologies.

The media content processing subsystem 110 is configured to process themedia content stream provided by the media content provider 111 andprovide a signal to a user device 112 so that the user device 112 maypresent the media content. In this manner, the media content processingsubsystem 110 may cause a media content instance to be presented forexperiencing by a user of the media content processing subsystem 110.The presentation of the media content instance may include, but is notlimited to, displaying, playing back, or otherwise processing the mediacontent instance, or one or more components of the media contentinstance, such that it may be experienced by the user. For example, themedia content processing subsystem 110 may cause a component of a mediacontent instance to be displayed for viewing by the user. As will bedescribed in more detail below, the media content processing subsystem110 may be controlled by a user input device 113 and/or a number ofadditional access devices 114.

While an exemplary media content access system 100 is shown in FIG. 1,the exemplary components illustrated in FIG. 1 are not intended to belimiting. Indeed, additional or alternative components and/orimplementations may be used, as is well known. Each of the components ofsystem 100 will now be described in additional detail.

A. Media Content Provider

Media content provider 111 is configured to provide various types ofmedia content via a satellite, cable system, subscriber televisionnetwork, the Internet, optical fiber network, wireless network, or anyother suitable network. The media content may include, but is notlimited to, any of the forms of media content instances described above.

An exemplary media content provider 111 includes a media contentprovider server 121, as shown in FIG. 2. The media content providerserver 121 may be configured to communicate with the media contentprocessing subsystem 110 via one or more types of networks 120 (andcommunications links thereto). The network 120 shown in FIG. 2 mayinclude the Internet, an intranet or other private packet-switchednetwork, a cable television network (e.g., a hybrid fiber-coax network),a wireless broadcast network (e.g., a satellite media broadcastingnetwork or terrestrial broadcasting network), a telephone network, aprovider-specific network (e.g., a Verizon® FIOS® network and/or a TiVo®network), an optical fiber network, or any other suitable network. Insome alternative examples, the processing subsystem 110 may be connecteddirectly to the media content provider server 121. While FIG. 2 shows asingle media content provider server 121, in other embodiments, themedia content provider 111 may include multiple media content servers.

B. User Device

As mentioned, the processing subsystem 110 may be communicativelycoupled to a user device 112 configured to present (e.g., display, play,or otherwise experience) the media content. The user device 112 mayinclude, but is not limited to, a display device (e.g., a displayscreen), a television, computer monitor, handheld device, speaker, orany other device configured to present the media content. As is wellknown, the user device 112 may receive and process output signals fromthe media content processing subsystem 110 such that content of theoutput signals is received for experiencing by the user.

While FIG. 1 illustrates the user device 112 as being a device separatefrom and communicatively coupled to the media content processingsubsystem 110, this is exemplary only and not limiting. In otherembodiments, the user device 112 and the media content processingsubsystem 110 may be integrated into one physical device. For example,the user device 112 may include a display device (e.g., a displayscreen) integrated in the media content processing subsystem 110.

C. Media Content Processing Subsystem

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary media content processingsubsystem 110 (or simply “processing subsystem 110”) according to anexemplary embodiment. The processing subsystem 110 may include anycombination of hardware, software, and firmware configured to process anincoming media content stream. As used herein and in the appendedclaims, unless otherwise specifically denoted, the terms “media contentprocessing subsystem” and “processing subsystem” will be used to referexpansively to all possible receivers that receive and decode digitaland/or analog media content. Hence, an exemplary processing subsystem110 may include, but is not limited to, a set-top box (STB), homecommunication terminal (HCT), digital home communication terminal(DHCT), stand-alone personal video recorder (PVR), digital video disc(DVD) player, video-enabled phone, and personal computer.

In certain embodiments, the processing subsystem 110 may include anycomputer hardware and/or instructions (e.g., software programs), orcombinations of software and hardware, configured to perform theprocesses described herein. In particular, it should be understood thatprocessing subsystem 110 may be implemented on one physical computingdevice or may be implemented on more than one physical computing device.Accordingly, processing subsystem 110 may include any one of a number ofwell known computing devices, and may employ any of a number of wellknown computer operating systems, including, but by no means limited to,known versions and/or varieties of the Microsoft Windows® operatingsystem, the Unix operating system, Macintosh® operating system, and theLinux operating system.

Accordingly, the processes described herein may be implemented at leastin part as instructions executable by one or more computing devices. Ingeneral, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions,e.g., from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executesthose instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, includingone or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions may bestored and transmitted using a variety of known computer-readable media.

A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a processor-readablemedium) includes any medium that participates in providing data (e.g.,instructions) that may be read by a computer (e.g., by a processor of acomputer). Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disksand other persistent memory. Volatile media may include, for example,dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”), which typically constitutes amain memory. Transmission media may include, for example, coaxialcables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprisea system bus coupled to a processor of a computer. Transmission mediamay include or convey acoustic waves, light waves, and electromagneticemissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (“RF”) andinfrared (“IR”) data communications. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

While an exemplary processing subsystem 110 is shown in FIG. 3, theexemplary components illustrated in FIG. 3 are not intended to belimiting. Indeed, additional or alternative components and/orimplementations may be used. Various components of the processingsubsystem 110 will now be described in additional detail.

1. Communication Interfaces

As shown in FIG. 3, the processing subsystem 110 may include acommunication interface 131 configured to receive media content from themedia content provider 111. The processing subsystem 110 may alsoinclude a receiver 132 configured to receive input commands from a userinput device 113. The user input device 113 may include, for example, aremote control, keyboard, or any other suitable input device and may beconfigured to communicate with the receiver 132 via a wireless link(e.g., an IR link), electrical connection, or any other suitablecommunication link.

An exemplary remote control user input device 113 is illustrated in FIG.4. In some examples, the input device 113 may be configured to enable auser to provide various commands and other input signals for controllingvarious settings and operations of the processing subsystem 110,including control options related to the viewing of the media content.For example, rewind 144 and fast-forward buttons 145 enable a user toaccess different scenes or frames within media content stored in a livecache buffer 136 (described below in relation to FIG. 3). A recordbutton 146 may also be included which enables the user to designate aspermanently recorded any media content instance buffered in the livecache buffer 136. A pause button 147 may enable the user to pause amedia content instance. A program guide button 148 may be configured toevoke the display of a program guide on the user device 112. A “leftarrow” button 149, “right arrow” button 150, “up arrow” button 151, and“down arrow” button 152 may be included and configured to enable theuser to navigate through various views and menus displayed by the userdevice 112.

As described below, certain buttons of the input device 113 may beconfigured as shortcuts (e.g., hot keys) to menus of control tools. Forinstance, during certain operations of the processing subsystem 110, thearrow buttons 149-152 of the input device 113 may be configured asdedicated buttons associated with corresponding control panes includingcontrol tools, as described further below. From an “on video” screen,for example, selection of the “up arrow” button 151 may be configured tocause a corresponding control pane to be displayed within the viewingscreen of the user device 112 and generally adjacent to a display ofmedia content.

A button on the input device 113, such as the select button 153 orcontrol pane button 154, may be configured to provide the user with theability to enable or disable a control pane application. The inputdevice 113 shown in FIG. 4 is merely illustrative of the many differenttypes of user input devices that may be used in connection with thepresent systems and methods.

Returning to FIG. 3, a number of additional access devices 114 may alsobe configured to communicate with the processing subsystem 110. Theseaccess devices 114 may include, but are not limited to, personalcomputers and mobile devices (e.g., laptops, personal digital assistants(PDAs), cellular phones, etc.). In some examples, as will be describedin more detail below, the access devices 114 may be configured to accesscontent stored and/or processed by the processing subsystem 110. Forexample, media content that has been recorded by the processingsubsystem 110 may be accessed and viewed on a personal computer.Moreover, similar to the uses of the input device 113 described herein,the additional access devices 114 may also be used to program orotherwise control the settings and operations of the processingsubsystem 110.

The processing subsystem 110 may also include an output driver 133configured to interface with or drive the user device 112. The outputdriver 133 may include one or more drivers configured to interface withor drive one or more different output devices, including video and audiodevices. The output driver 133 may include any combination of hardware,software, and firmware as may serve a particular application.

2. Storage Devices

Storage device 134 may include one or more data storage media, devices,or configurations and may employ any type, form, and combination ofstorage media. For example, the storage device 134 may include, but isnot limited to, a hard drive, network drive, flash drive, magnetic disc,optical disc, or other non-volatile storage unit. As will be describedin more detail below, various portions of media content may betemporarily and/or permanently stored in the storage device 134.

The storage device 134 of FIG. 3 is shown to be a part of the processingsubsystem 110 for illustrative purposes only. It will be understood thatthe storage device 134 may additionally or alternatively be locatedexternal to the processing subsystem 110.

The processing subsystem 110 may also include memory 135. Memory 135 mayinclude, but is not limited to, FLASH memory, random access memory(RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a combination thereof. In some examples,as will be described in more detail below, various applications (e.g., aPVR application) used by the processing subsystem 110 may reside inmemory 135.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage device 134 may include one or more livecache buffers 136. The live cache buffer 136 may additionally oralternatively reside in memory 135 or in a storage device external tothe processing subsystem 110. As will be described in more detail below,media content data may be temporarily stored in the live cache buffer136 to facilitate viewing of the media content in one or more trick playmodes.

3. Tuner

Tuner 137 is configured to tune to a particular media (e.g., television)channel, stream, address, frequency or other carrier in order to processmedia content that is transmitted on that carrier. In some examples, thetuner 137 may include multiple tuners such that multiple carriers ofmedia content may be processed and/or presented by (e.g., displayed by)a user device 112. For example, the tuner 137 may include a first tunerconfigured to receive an analog video signal corresponding to a firstmedia content instance and a second tuner configured to simultaneouslyreceive a digital compressed stream corresponding to a second mediacontent instance. It will be recognized that the tuner 137 may have anynumber of tuners configured to receive any kind of media content.

In some examples, media content received at the tuner 137 is temporarilybuffered, or stored, in the live cache buffer 136. If there are multipletuners 137, there may be a live cache buffer 136 corresponding to eachof the tuners 137. Once media content is temporarily stored in the livecache buffer 136, the user may then designate whether the media contentis to be permanently stored as a permanent recording in the storagedevice 134 or whether it is to be deleted. As used herein, the term“permanent recording” will be understood to mean media content that isstored for an extended period of time as decided by the user.

While tuner 137 may be used to receive various types ofmedia-content-carrying signals broadcast by media content provider 111,media content processing subsystem 110 may be configured to receiveother types of media content signals from the media content provider 111without using a tuner. For example, media content provider 111 maybroadcast digital streams of data packets (e.g., Internet Protocol (IP)based data packets) that can be received without using a tuner. For suchtypes of media content signals, the communication interface 131 mayreceive and forward the signals directly to the signal processing unit139 without going through the tuner 137. For an IP media content signal,for example, the signal processing unit 139 may function as an IPreceiver.

4. Processors

As shown in FIG. 3, the processing subsystem 110 may include one or moreprocessors, such as processor 138 configured to control the operationsof the processing subsystem 110. The processing subsystem 110 may alsoinclude a signal processing unit 139 configured to process incomingmedia content. The signal processing unit 139 may be configured, forexample, to demodulate and parse encoded digital media content. In someexamples, the processing subsystem 110 may include one or more signalprocessing units 139 corresponding to each of the tuners 137.

The processing subsystem 110 may also include a graphics engine 140configured to generate graphics that are to be displayed by the userdevice 112. The graphics may include, but are not limited to, views ofmedia content instances (e.g., “on-video” screen views), components ofmedia content instances, program guides, progress bars, control panes,control tools included in the control panes, and other graphics. One ormore processors of the processing subsystem 110 (e.g., processor 138and/or graphics engine 140) may generate and provide output signalsconfigured to cause the user device 112 to present contents (e.g., amedia content instance and/or control panels) of the output signals.Output signals may be provided to the user device 112 by way of theoutput driver 133.

5. Application Clients

One or more applications 141-143 residing within the processingsubsystem 110 may be executed upon initiation by a user of theprocessing subsystem 110. The applications 141-143, or applicationclients, may reside in memory 135 or in any other area of the processingsubsystem 110 and be executed by the processor 138.

As shown in FIG. 3, one of the applications may be a program guideapplication 141 configured to generate a program guide that is displayedon the user device 112. An exemplary program guide includes a graphicaluser interface (GUI) that performs various functions including allowinga user to select and view program information associated with variousmedia content instances.

The processing subsystem 110 may also include a personal video recording(PVR) application 142. A PVR application is also referred to as adigital video recording (DVR) application. As used herein and in theappended claims, unless otherwise specifically denoted, the term “PVRapplication” will be used to refer to any application and/or deviceconfigured to record media content and/or provide for the viewing ofmedia content in normal or trick play mode. As previously mentioned,trick play modes include, but are not limited to, slow motion, fastmotion, reverse play, fast forward play, instant replay, jumping,pausing of live broadcast, and scanning. The PVR application 142 mayalso provide for media content recording functionality by enabling thetemporary and/or permanent recording of media content to the storagedevice 134.

In some examples, the PVR application 142 may be integrated into theprocessing subsystem 110, as shown in FIG. 3, or it may be a stand-aloneunit. A stand-alone PVR may be coupled to the processing subsystem 110or it may be used in place of the processing subsystem 110. In theexamples contained herein, it will be assumed that the PVR application142 is integrated into the processing subsystem 110 for illustrativepurposes only.

The processing system 110 may also include a control pane application143, which may be initiated automatically upon the occurrence of apredefined event or by a user of the processing subsystem 110. Forexample, the user may actuate a button of the input device 113 or othersuitable input mechanism (e.g., an access device 114) to cause an inputsignal to be sent to the processor subsystem 110, which receives andresponds to the input signal by executing the control pane application143, or at least certain operations included in the control paneapplication 143. In certain embodiments, actuation of the “control pane”button 154 of the input device 113 during presentation of a mediacontent instance (e.g., an “on-video” display of a video component ofthe media content instance) is configured to toggle between enabling andclosing the control pane application 143.

In certain embodiments, select buttons of the input device 113 may bepreprogrammed for initiating pre-associated functions of the controlpane application 143. For example, a first button (e.g., the “up arrow”button 151) may be pre-associated with a first control pane, a secondbutton (e.g., the “right arrow” button 150) may be pre-associated with asecond control pane, etc., such that a selection of a particular buttonis configured to launch the corresponding control pane. Accordingly,when the control pane application 143 is executing (i.e., has beenlaunched but not yet terminated) during presentation of media content,certain predefined buttons of the input device 113 may be configured toact as “hot keys” for initiating certain control pane operations,including launching corresponding control panes for consideration by theuser.

The control pane application 143 and associated control panes providethe user with convenient, and in certain embodiments direct access tocontrol tools included in the control panes. Significantly, the user isable to access, navigate, consider, and utilize control tools to enhanceand/or compliment her viewing experience, while a media content instancebeing presented continues to be presented. For example, the user is ableto launch a control pane and use the control tools included therein,without having to leave the presentation of the media content instance.

In certain embodiments, the control pane application 143 is configuredto cause a control pane to be displayed along an edge of a media contentinstance (or a component of the media content instance) currently beingdisplayed. The control pane may be displayed such that the display ofthe media content instance (or component of the media content instance)is generally unobstructed. For example, the displayed component of themedia content instance may remain viewable, or at least substantiallyviewable, by the user. In certain embodiments, for example, the controlpane “peeks in” from an outer edge of the viewing screen of the userdevice 112 and the display of the media content instance is resized tomake room for the control pane.

As mentioned above, at least some of the control tools may be contextualin nature. Certain control tools may be contextually selected forinclusion in the control panes based on which user profile is active oron an attribute of the media content being presented. A user profile mayinclude settings, preferences, or permissions that affect theavailability, selection, function, or content of control tools. Forinstance, a particular user profile (e.g., a parent user profile) mayhave permissions providing access to control tools for locking anotheruser profile (e.g., a child user profile) out of a particular mediacontent instance, and the other user profile may have permissions thatdo not allow access to these tools. Consequently, when a control pane islaunched from the first user profile, the control pane may contextuallyinclude a parental control tool, while a control pane launched from theother user profile may contextually not include the parental controltool. The dependency of the control tools on user profiles enables usersto customize their control tools for their respective user profiles.

Similarly, controls tools may be selected or configured based onattributes of the media content being presented. For example, a controltool providing access to a portal specific to a programming channel maybe different for different programming channels. For instance, when amedia content instance being presented is provided by a FOX programmingchannel, a programming channel tool may provide access to a portalspecific to the FOX channel. The programming channel tool mayautomatically and dynamically change (or be replaced by a differentprogramming channel tool) to provide access to a different portal inresponse to a channel change. The contextual nature of control toolsenables user-specific and/or media-specific control tools to bedynamically selected and provided in control panes.

To facilitate an understanding of the control pane application 143,FIGS. 5-11 illustrate various embodiments of views caused to bedisplayed on the user device 112 by the processing subsystem 110. FIG. 5illustrates a viewing screen 155 of an exemplary user device 112 with aparticular scene or frame of media content displayed thereon. Thedisplay of media content shown in FIG. 5 is indicated as referencenumber 156. As shown in FIG. 5, the media content is displayedsubstantially “full size” within the viewing screen 155, which iscommonly referred to as an “on video” display.

In some instances, a user may be interested in accessing, viewing,navigating, and/or using various control tools while continuing to viewmedia content being presented (e.g., displayed). In certain embodiments,while the media content is being displayed “on-video”, the user mayconveniently select a pre-configured button on the input device 113, orprovide some other form of input, in order to launch a control panehaving one or more control tools included therein. In certainembodiments, the directional arrows of the input device 113 areconfigured to initiate access to corresponding control panes, asdescribed further below. The control pane application 143 may beexecuted as described above to cause one or more control panes to bedisplayed within the viewing screen 155 together with the media contentbeing displayed.

In certain embodiments, the control pane may be selected from a group ofcontrol panes based on the input command initiated by the user.Accordingly, the user may be provided with both access to a plurality ofcontrol panes and controls for selecting from the control panes aparticular control pane to be presented.

FIG. 6 illustrates the viewing screen 155 of FIG. 5 with a group ofexemplary control panes 160-163 positioned at least substantiallyoff-screen (i.e., out of view), according to an embodiment. As shown,the control panes 160-163 may be outside of the viewing screen 155during an “on video” display of media content. Each of the control panes160-163 may be positioned along a different edge of the media contentdisplay 156. The control panes 160-163 may include graphical userinterfaces configured to be presented to a user (e.g., placed within theviewing screen 155) when launched by the control pane application 143.

Although not shown in FIG. 6, each of the control panes 160-163 mayinclude one or more control tools, examples of which will be describedfurther below in relation to FIGS. 7-11. In certain embodiments, each ofthe control panes 160-163 includes a unique (i.e., different) set ofcontrol tools. For example, control pane 160 may include a first set ofcontrol tools, and control pane 161 may include another set of differentcontrol tools. Accordingly, the user is able to select one of thecontrol panes 160-163 to be presented depending on the location of aparticular control tool that the user desires to access.

In certain embodiments, each of the control panes 160-163 includes adifferent type of control tools. Accordingly, the user is able to selectone of the control panes 160-163 to be presented depending on the typeof control tools that the user desires to access. Examples of types orcategories of control tools include, but are not limited to,notification control tools, user profile control tools, shortcut controltools, and contextual control tools that are specific to the mediacontent instance being presented. Examples of these types of controltools will be described further below.

When the occurrence of a predefined event (e.g., the user actuating apreconfigured button of the input device 113) is detected by theprocessing subsystem 110 during the presentation of a media contentinstance (e.g., an “on video” presentation such as that shown in FIG.5), the control pane application 143 may cause a pre-associated one ofthe control panes 160-163 to be presented in the viewing screen 155together with a display of the media content instance. This may beperformed in any suitable manner and using any acceptable technologies.

In certain embodiments, for example, a common graphical interface layerincluding both the media content instance and control panes may beadjusted (e.g., moved about) relative to the viewing screen 155. Forinstance, the control panes 160-163 may be stitched to the edges of themedia content display 156, each of which is disposed on the commongraphical interface layer. The contents included within the viewingscreen 155 may be adjusted by changing a “zoom” level (e.g., zooming outto make the contents of the graphical interface layer smaller in size)associated with and/or shifting the graphical interface layer (e.g.,shifting it vertically, horizontally, or a combination of vertically andhorizontally) to place selected content at least substantially withinthe viewing screen 155 for viewing by the user. In this manner, aselected control pane may be caused to “peek in” from an edge of theviewing screen 155. Of course, other embodiments may utilize othersuitable processes and technologies to present the selected control panein the viewing screen 155 together with the media content display 156.

FIG. 7 illustrates the viewing screen 155 of FIG. 5 with a first controlpane 160 displayed within the viewing screen 155 and adjacent to a firstedge of media content display 156, which has been resized and shifted tomake room for the control pane 160 in the viewing screen 155. Thecontrol pane 160 may be inserted in the viewing screen 155 and presentedas shown in FIG. 7 in response to a detection of any suitable predefinedevent, including a user providing a predefined input signal (e.g., anactuation of the “up arrow” button 151 of the input device 113).

As shown in FIG. 7, control pane 160 may include a first set of controltools 165-167 that are navigable and selectable by a user. In certainembodiments, when control pane 160 is presented in the viewing screen155, the “left arrow” button 149 and “right arrow” button 150 of theinput device 113 are configured for navigating (e.g., scrolling) throughthe control tools 165-167. As a user navigates through the control tools165-167, the currently selected control tool may be indicated as beingselected in any suitable way, including magnification of an iconrepresentative of the control tool. As shown in FIG. 7, when controltool 166 is selected, it may be magnified in size as compared to controltools 165 and 167. The “select” button 153 of the input device 113 maybe configured for activating the selected control tool.

The set of control tools 165-167 included in the control pane 160 mayinclude any type of control tool, including any of the control toolsdescribed herein. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, control tools 165-167 areconfigured to enable a user to select from a set of preconfigured userprofiles. The set of control tools 165-167, which may be referred to asalias controls or user profile controls, enable a user of the processingsubsystem 110 to conveniently switch between different user profileswhile continuing to view the media content instance being displayed. Inother words, the media content can remain displayed within the viewingscreen 155 while the user launches control pane 160 and utilizes thecontrol tools 165-167 included therein.

In certain embodiments, when control pane 160 is presented in theviewing screen 155, the “down arrow” button 152 of the input device 113is configured to cause the control pane 160 to go off screen. Uponselection of the “down arrow” button 152, for example, the displayconfiguration presented in the viewing screen 155 may return from thatshown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 5.

Of course, the user may conveniently select any of the control panes160-163 for presentation in the viewing screen 155. FIG. 8 illustratesthe viewing screen 155 of FIG. 5 with a second control pane 161displayed within the viewing screen 155 and adjacent to a second edge ofa media content display 156, which has been resized and shifted to makeroom for the control pane 161 in the viewing screen 155. The controlpane 161 may be inserted in the viewing screen 155 and presented asshown in FIG. 8 in response to a detection of any suitable predefinedevent, including a user providing a predefined input signal (e.g., anactuation of the “right arrow” button 150 of the input device 113).

As shown in FIG. 8, control pane 161 may include a second set of controltools 170-173 that are navigable and selectable by a user. The set ofcontrol tools 170-173 included in the control pane 161 may include anytype of control tool, including any of the control tools describedherein. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, control tools 170-173 includeshortcuts for accessing additional information and/or functionality,including information and/or functionality provided by the mediaprovider 111 or by one or more third parties, including third partiesoperating servers or other suitable devices connected to the processingsubsystem 110 or the media content provider server 121 by the network120 or some other communication technology.

Examples of shortcut control tools include, but are not limited to, atraffic widget 170, a weather widget 171, a package shipping widget 172,and a task management widget 173. The set of control tools 170-173,which may be referred to generally as shortcut control tools, enable auser of the processing subsystem 110 to conveniently access additionalinformation and/or functionality (e.g., software applications, webservices, etc.), including information and/or functionality provided bythird parties, while the media content instance continues to bedisplayed in the viewing screen 155.

If a user activates weather widget 171, for example, the displayconfiguration within the viewing screen 155 may be adjusted forpresentation of weather information and/or functionality that have beenpre-associated with the weather widget 171. FIG. 9 illustrates theviewing screen 155 of FIG. 8 with control pane 161 extended further intothe viewing screen 155 to make room for application pane 175, which inthis case includes weather information. The media content display 156may be resized and shifted again to accommodate both control pane 161and application pane 175 within the viewing screen 155. Accordingly, auser is able to access and consider weather information (includingweather information provided by a third party) while still experiencinga presentation of media content. The weather information included inapplication 175 is illustrative only. Other embodiments of applicationpanes pre-associated with other shortcut control tools may includedifferent information and/or functionality.

In certain embodiments, when control pane 161 is presented in theviewing screen 155, the “up arrow” button 151 and “down arrow” button152 of the input device 113 are configured for navigating through thecontrol tools 170-173. As a user navigates through the control tools170-173, the currently selected control tool may be indicated as beingselected in any suitable way, including magnification of an iconrepresentative of the control tool, as described above. The “select”button 153 of the input device 113 may be configured for activating theselected control tool.

In certain embodiments, when control pane 161 and/or application pane175 are/is presented in the viewing screen 155, the “left arrow” button149 of the input device 113 may be configured to cause the control pane161 or the application pane 175 to go off screen. Upon selection of the“left arrow” button 149 when the viewing screen 155 includes contentspresented as shown in FIG. 9, for example, the display configurationpresented in the viewing screen 155 may return from that shown in FIG. 9to that shown in FIG. 8. Upon selection of the “left arrow” button 149when the viewing screen 155 includes contents presented as shown in FIG.8, for example, the display configuration presented in the viewingscreen 155 may return from that shown in FIG. 8 to that shown in FIG. 5.

In certain embodiments, the viewing screen 155 may include one or more“fill-in” panes, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, the viewingscreen 155 includes “fill-in” pane 174 in which information related tothe media content instance being presented is provided for considerationby the user. As the configuration of the contents presented in theviewing screen 155 is adjusted as described above, in someconfigurations, the viewing screen 155 may have unused space, which canbe used by the media content processing subsystem 110 to automaticallyprovide additional information to the user. In FIG. 8, “fill-in” pane174 is presented where space has become available generally below themedia content display 156 as a result of the media content display 156being resized and shifting to make room for control pane 161 in theviewing screen 155. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, “fill-in” pane 174includes information descriptive of and/or related to the media contentinstance being displayed. However, any suitable information may bepresented in “fill-in” pane 174.

The number, configuration, and/or contents of fill-in panes may bedynamically adjusted based on the current display configuration. Forexample, the display configuration of FIG. 8, which includes “fill-in”pane 174, may be adjusted to the display configuration shown in FIG. 9,which includes two separate “fill-in” panes 177 and 178. As shown,“fill-in” pane 177 may be smaller in size and include less informationthan “fill-in” pane 174. Information redacted from “fill-in” pane 174may be included in another “fill-in” pane such as “fill-in” pane 178. InFIG. 9, the two “fill-in” panes 177 and 178 are configured to make useof space in the viewing screen 155 that has become available due toresizing and shifting of the media content display 156 in the viewingscreen 155.

“Fill-in” panes (e.g., “fill-in” panes 174, 177, and 178) may beconfigured to maximize the use of display space in the viewing screen155. As display configurations change to accommodate control panestogether with a display of a media content instance, “fill-in” panes maypopulate what would be otherwise available space in the viewing screen155 with information that may be potentially helpful or interesting to auser. In certain embodiments, “fill-in” panes may include advertisements(e.g., telescoping advertisements) for advertisers who are sponsoringthe media content instance being displayed. Accordingly, the “fill-in”panes can be a source of revenue for a carrier and/or provider of mediacontent. In similar manner, advertisements may also be included incontrol panes and used to generate revenue.

FIG. 10 illustrates the viewing screen 155 of FIG. 5 with a thirdcontrol pane 162 displayed within the viewing screen 155 and adjacent tothird edge of media content display 156, which has been resized andshifted to make room for the control pane 162 in the viewing screen 155.The control pane 162 may be inserted in the viewing screen 155 andpresented as shown in FIG. 10 in response to a detection of any suitablepredefined event, including a user providing a predefined input signal(e.g., actuation of the “left arrow” button 149 of the input device113).

As shown in FIG. 10, control pane 162 may include a third set of controltools 180-184 that are navigable and selectable by a user. The set ofcontrol tools 180-184 included in control pane 162 may include any typeof control tool, including any of the control tools described herein. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 10, control tools 180-184 include contextualtools that are specific to the active user profile and/or the mediacontent instance being displayed. Contextual tools may include anycontrol tools that provide information and/or functionality that isbased on the active user profile and/or the media content instance beingpresented.

Examples of such control tools include, but are not limited to, anetwork programming tool 180, a media content recording tool 181, a locktool 182, a ratings tool 183, and a related programming tool 184.Network programming tool 180, when activated, may cause an applicationpane to be presented for consideration by the user, the application paneincluding information descriptive of programming provided by the samebroadcast network or channel that provides the media content instancebeing presented in viewing screen 155. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, forexample, the media content instance is provided by the FOX network, andthe network programming tool 180 is configured to provide the user withinformation (e.g., a network-specific program guide) descriptive ofprogramming provided by, or other information associated with, the FOXnetwork.

Media content recording tool 181, when activated, may be configured tocause the media content processing subsystem 110 to record the mediacontent instance being presented. PVR application 142 may be executedand cause the media content instance to be recorded, as described above.

Lock tool 182, when activated, may be configured to cause parentalcontrol functions to be applied to the media content instance beingpresented. For example, the media content instance may be “locked” withrespect to certain user profiles, meaning that those user profiles willbe prevented from gaining access to the media content instance. This isa convenient way for a user to set parental control settings for themedia content instance being presented.

Ratings tool 183, when activated, may be configured to cause the mediacontent processing subsystem 110 to provide functionality for rating themedia content instance being presented. Accordingly, a user experiencingthe media content instance can conveniently use ratings tool 183 toassign a rating (e.g., four out of five stars) to the media contentinstance. In certain embodiments, the ratings tool 183 may be configuredto enable the user to send an assigned rating to another user. In thismanner, a user may recommend the media content instance to another user.

Related programming tool 184, when activated, may be configured to causethe media content processing subsystem 110 to provide functionality foraccessing programming that is related to the media content instancebeing presented. For example, related programming tool 184 may providefunctionality for identifying other instances of media content thatshare a common attribute (e.g., a common actor or genre) with the mediacontent instance being presented.

In certain embodiments, when control pane 162 is presented in theviewing screen 155, the “up arrow” button 151 and “down arrow” button152 of the input device 113 are configured for use in navigating throughthe control tools 180-184. As a user navigates through the control tools180-184, the currently selected control tool may be indicated as beingselected in any suitable way, including magnification of an iconrepresentative of the control tool, as shown in FIG. 10. The “select”button 153 of the input device 113 may be configured for activating theselected control tool (or functionality associated with the controltool).

In certain embodiments, when control pane 162 is presented in theviewing screen 155, the “right arrow” button 150 of the input device 113may be configured to cause the control pane 162 to go off screen. Uponselection of the “right arrow” button 150 when the viewing screen 155includes contents presented as shown in FIG. 10, for example, thedisplay configuration presented in the viewing screen 155 may returnfrom that shown in FIG. 10 to that shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 illustrates the viewing screen 155 of FIG. 5 with a fourthcontrol pane 163 displayed within the viewing screen 155 and adjacent tofourth edge of media content display 156, which has been resized andshifted to make room for the control pane 163 in the viewing screen 155.The control pane 163 may be inserted in the viewing screen 155 andpresented as shown in FIG. 11 in response to a detection of any suitablepredefined event, including a user providing a predefined input signal(e.g., actuation of the “down arrow” button 152 of the input device113).

As shown in FIG. 11, control pane 163 may include a fourth set ofcontrol tools 190-192 that are navigable and selectable by a user. Theset of control tools 190-192 included in control pane 163 may includeany type of control tool, including any of the control tools describedherein. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, control tools 190-192 includenotification control tools, which may include any tools configured toprovide the user with access to notifications, including notificationsthat the user has elected to receive and/or notifications from thirdparties or third-party applications.

Examples of notification control tools include, but are not limited to,a voicemail notification tool 190, an incoming e-mail notification tool191, and a calendar notification tool 192. Voicemail notification tool190 may be configured to provide a notification when a new voicemailmessage has been received by a voicemail service being used (e.g.,subscribed to) by the user. E-mail notification tool 191 may beconfigured to provide a notification when a new e-mail message has beenreceived by an electronic mail service being used by the user. Calendarnotification tool 192 may be configured to provide a notification of anupcoming event (e.g., appointment) that has been scheduled in ascheduling service or application being used by the user. Each of thecontrol tools 190-192 may also be configured as a shortcut to anapplication pane such that the user may use the control tools 190-192 togain access to applications (e.g., an e-mail application) used by theuser.

In certain embodiments, when control pane 163 is presented in theviewing screen 155, the “left arrow” button 149 and “right arrow” button150 of the input device 113 are configured for use in navigating throughthe control tools 190-192. As a user navigates through the control tools190-192, the currently selected control tool may be indicated as beingselected in any suitable way, including magnification of an iconrepresentative of the control tool, as shown in FIG. 11. The “select”button 153 of the input device 113 may be configured for activating theselected control tool (or functionality associated with the controltool).

In certain embodiments, when control pane 163 is presented in theviewing screen 155, the “up arrow” button 151 of the input device 113may be configured to cause the control pane 163 to go off screen. Uponselection of the “up arrow” button 151 when the viewing screen 155includes contents presented as shown in FIG. 11, for example, thedisplay configuration presented in the viewing screen 155 may returnfrom that shown in FIG. 11 to that shown in FIG. 5.

Control panes and control tools included in the control panes may beconfigurable by a user of the processing subsystem 110. In particular,the control pane application 143 may include functionality that enablesthe user to choose different settings for the control panes. Forexample, the user may select a position at which a control will bedisplayed and the control tools to be included in the control pane. Theuser may also be provided with functionality for assigning inputcommands (e.g., which buttons of the user input device 113) to controlpanes. These features enable different users to customize menus ofcontrol tools, the display of the control panes including the menus, andthe associations between input commands and control panes such that thecontrol panes fit the preferences of each particular user. The user canconfigure the control panes and tools in a manner that will minimize theinterference that the control panes may have on the viewing habits andpreferences of the user.

The control tools described above are exemplary and not limiting. Otherexamples may include different control tools or combinations of controltools. Examples of other control tool information and/or functionalitythat may be included in the control panes include, but are not limitedto, dynamically loaded video, audio, and multimedia, voice and videocommunications functionality and interfaces, collaborative viewinginterfaces, a drop box for flagging media content or a snippet of mediacontent, Rich Site Summary (RSS) newsfeeds, a link to a third-partyvideo portal, and a video display enabling a user to jump to mediacontent being recorded by another tuner 137.

III. Exemplary Process View

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary method of providing control toolstogether with a presentation of with media content, according to anembodiment. While FIG. 12 illustrates exemplary steps according to oneembodiment, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modifyany of the steps shown in FIG. 12.

In step 230, a media content instance is received. Step 230 may beperformed in any of the ways described above, including the processingsubsystem 110 receiving a data stream containing the media contentinstance from the media content provider 111.

In step 235, at least a component of the media content instance isprovided to be presented for experiencing by a user. Step 235 may beperformed in any of the ways described above, including the processingsubsystem 110 providing a first output signal containing datarepresentative of the media content instance to the user device 112,which can present the media content instance for experiencing by theuser. For example, at least a component of the media content instancemay be displayed for viewing by the user.

In step 240, an input command is received from the user. Step 240 may beperformed in any of the ways described above, including the processingsubsystem 110 receiving the input command from the input device 113 whenthe user actuates a predetermined button on the input device 113 whilethe media content instance is being displayed. Of course, any suitableinput mechanism and signal may be employed.

In step 245, a control pane is selected from a group of control panesbased on the input command. Step 245 may be performed in any of the waysdescribed above, including any of control panes 160-163 being selectedbased on the input command. For example, control pane 160 may beselected when the input command is indicative of an input mechanismpre-associated with the control pane 160 (e.g., a pre-configured buttonon input device 113) being actuated by a user.

In step 250, in response to the input command, the selected control paneis provided to be presented, together with the component of the mediacontent instance, for consideration by the user. Step 250 may beperformed in any of the ways described above presenting the control panein a manner that generally does not obstruct the presentation of themedia content instance. As described above, a display of the mediacontent instance (or component thereof) may be resized and shifted tomake space for the media content instance and the control pane in asingle viewing screen. The processing subsystem 110 may send a secondoutput signal including the media content instance and the control paneto the user device 112 for concurrent presentation of the media contentinstance (or component thereof) and the control pane. As describedabove, the control pane may include a set of one or more control tools.The control tools may be organized into a menu or listing of multiplecontrol tools.

In step 255, a selection signal is received from a user. Step 255 may beperformed in any of the ways described above, including the processingsubsystem 110 receiving the selection signal from the input device 113when the user actuates a predetermined button on the input device 113while the control pane is being displayed. Of course, any suitable inputmechanism and signal may be employed. The selection signal typicallyindicates a user activation of a control tool included in the controlpane.

In step 260, an application pane is caused to be presented (e.g.,displayed) for consideration by the user. Step 260 may be performed inresponse to the selection signal, and the application pane presentedcorresponds with (i.e., is pre-associated with) the selected controltool.

Steps 240-260 may be performed while the media content instance (or atleast a component of the media content instance) continues to bepresented for experiencing by the user, the presentation of the mediacontent being generally unobstructed by the control pane or theapplication pane. Accordingly, the user is provided with a wide range ofcontrol tools that are conveniently accessible and usable while a mediacontent instance is being presented.

IV. Alternative Embodiments

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may beimplemented, without departing from the scope of the invention as setforth in the claims that follow. The above description and accompanyingdrawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a media content processingsubsystem, said media content subsystem including an output driverconfigured to provide at least a component of a media content instanceto a display for presentation to a user, and a receiver configured toreceive at least one input command initiated by the user during saidpresentation of said at least a component of said media contentinstance; wherein a media content instance is at least one of atelevision program, on-demand program, pay-per-view program, broadcastmedia program, video-on demand program, commercial, video, movie, song,or audio program; a set of user profiles; and a group of control panes,wherein each control pane in the group of control panes includes adisplay of a set of icons, each icon representing one control tool forperforming an electronic function, wherein each of said control panesincludes a different set of control tool icons, and wherein the group ofcontrol panes at least partially surrounds said media content instanceoutside of a viewable portion of the display, wherein said media contentprocessing subsystem is configured to select a control pane from thegroup of control panes based on a first input command of said at leastone input command and shifts said media content instance into a viewingarea defined by at least one of the viewable portion of said display andsaid selected control pane such that said selected control pane isviewable on the display concurrently with said media content instance inresponse to said first input command; wherein said media contentprocessing subsystem is further configured to select a user profile ofsaid set of user profiles based on a second command of said at least oneinput command, wherein said set of user profiles are displayed as iconsin a control pane of said group of control panes, and wherein at leastsome of said control tools are contextually selected for inclusion insaid group of control panes based on said selected user profile, andwherein said media content processing subsystem is further configured toadjust a size and location of the viewing area based on said controlpane selected.
 2. The system of claim 1, said control pane generallyunobstructing said at least a component of said media content instancein said concurrent display.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein onecontrol tool is a sharing tool for sharing at least a portion of saidmedia content instance with another user.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein said control tools include at least one of a ratings tool forrating said media content instance, and a recommendation tool forrecommending said media content instance to another user.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein said control tools include at least one shortcuttool configured to provide access to at least one of additionalinformation and additional functionality.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein said at least one of said additional information and saidadditional functionality includes at least one of traffic information,task management information, instant messaging functionality, andvoicemail functionality.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein said mediacontent processing subsystem is configured to receive a selection signalinitiated by the user during said concurrent presentation of said atleast a component of said media content instance and said control pane,and provide, in response to said selection signal, an application paneto the display for concurrent presentation of said at least a componentof said media content instance, said control pane, and said applicationpane to the user, said application pane including said at least one ofsaid additional information and said additional functionality.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said control pane includes a navigable set ofsaid control tools.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein each said controlpane in said group of control panes includes a different type of saidcontrol tools.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said group of controlpanes includes a first control pane configured to be selectivelypresented adjacent a first edge of said at least a component of saidmedia content instance in said concurrent presentation, and a secondcontrol pane configured to be selectively presented adjacent a secondedge of said at least a component of said media content instance in saidconcurrent display.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said mediacontent subsystem is configured to resize said media content instance tomake space for said selected control pane while concurrently displayedwith said media content instance.
 12. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid at least a component of said media content instance and said groupof control panes are disposed on a common graphical interface layer. 13.The system of claim 12, wherein said media content processing subsystemis configured to transition from displaying said media content instanceindependent of said control pane to concurrently displaying said atleast a component of said media content instance and said control paneby zooming out and shifting said common graphical user interface layerrelative to a viewing screen of the display.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the media content instance is resized such that the mediacontent instance is viewable with said selected control pane on thedisplay, and wherein the display defines unused space adjacent to saidmedia content instance after said media content instance is resized, andfurther comprising fill-in panes disposed in the unused space adjacentsaid media content instance.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein thefill-in panes include additional information about at least one of saidselected control pane and said media content instance.
 16. An apparatuscomprising: a communication interface configured to receive a datastream from a media content provider communicatively coupled to saidapparatus by a network, said data stream including a media contentinstance; wherein a media content instance is at least one of atelevision program, on-demand program, pay-per-view program, broadcastmedia program, video-on demand program, commercial, advertisement,video, movie, song, or audio program; at least one processor configuredto provide a first output signal configured to cause a user devicecommunicatively coupled to said apparatus to present at least acomponent of said media content instance for experiencing by a user; aset of user profiles accessible by the processor; and a receiverconfigured to receive at least one input command from an input devicecommunicatively coupled to said apparatus, said at least one inputcommand being initiated by the user during said presentation of said atleast a component of said media content instance; wherein said at leastone processor is configured to select a control pane from a group ofcontrol panes wherein each control pane in the group of control panesincludes a display of a set of icons, each icon representing one controltool for performing an electronic function, wherein each of said controlpanes includes a different set of control tool icons, and wherein thegroup of control panes at least partially surrounds said media contentinstance outside of a viewable portion of the user device, wherein saidat least one processor selects said control pane based on a first inputcommand of said at least one input command and shifts said media contentinstance into a viewing area defined by at least one of the viewablearea of said display and said selected control pane such that saidselected control pane is viewable on the user device concurrently withsaid media content instance for consideration by the user, wherein saidat least one processor is further configured to select a user profile ofsaid set of user profiles based on a second command of said at least oneinput command, wherein said set of user profiles are displayed as iconsin a control pane of said group of control panes, and wherein at leastsome of said control tools are contextually selected for inclusion insaid group of control panes based on said selected user profile, whereinsaid processor is further configured to adjust a size and location ofthe viewing area based on said control pane selected.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein said control tools include at least one of aratings tool for rating said media content instance, a recommendationtool for recommending said media content instance to another user, and asharing tool for sharing at least a portion of said media contentinstance with another user.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein saidcontrol tools include at least one shortcut tool configured to provideaccess to at least one of additional information and additionalfunctionality.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said at least oneof additional information and additional functionality is provided by athird-party device communicatively coupled to at least one of saidapparatus and said media content provider.
 20. A method comprising:providing at least a component of a media content instance to a displayfor presentation to a user, wherein a media content instance is at leastone of a television program, on-demand program, pay-per-view program,broadcast media program, video-on demand program, commercial, video,movie, song, or audio program; receiving at least one input commandinitiated by the user during said presentation of said at least acomponent of said media content instance; selecting a control pane froma group of control panes wherein each control pane in the group ofcontrol panes includes a display of a set of icons, each iconrepresenting one control tool for performing an electronic function,wherein each of said control panes includes a different set of controltool icons, and wherein the group of control panes at least partiallysurrounds said media content instance outside of a viewable portion ofthe display, wherein the control pane is selected based on a firstcommand of said at least one input command; providing to a display forpresentation to a user a set of user profiles represented by icons in acontrol pane of said group of control panes; selecting a user profilefrom said set of user profiles based on a second command of said atleast one input command; selecting at least some of said control toolsfor inclusion in said group of control panes based on said selected userprofile; shifting said media content instance to a viewing area definedby at least one of the viewable portion of the display and the selectedcontrol pane such that said control pane is viewable on the displayconcurrently with said media content instance; and adjusting a size andlocation of the viewing area based on the control pane selected.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, said control pane generally unobstructing said atleast a component of said media content instance in said concurrentdisplay.
 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising disposing saidat least a component of said media content instance and said pluralityof control panes on a common graphical interface layer.
 23. The methodof claim 22, further comprising resizing said common graphical interfacelayer relative to a viewing screen of the display to make space for saidcontrol pane while concurrently displayed with said media contentinstance.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein each of said control panesis positioned adjacent a different edge of said at least a component ofsaid media content instance.
 25. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising associating a control tool type with each of said controlpanes, each of said control panes including a different type of saidcontrol tools.